As oilseed processing increases, exports of processed products, vegetable oils and oilseed meal are also growing. Last season, exports amounted to 1.8 million tonnes. This season, we expect exports to reach 2 million tonnes. We have actively begun selling to EU countries, including high-protein sunflower meal and sunflower husk pellets. Economically, we are competitive in these markets even without any logistics subsidies.
Kazakhstan Plans to Become World’s Fourth-Largest Sunflower Oil Exporter
14 October 2026, 15:18 150
Kazakhstan currently has 5.4 million tonnes of oilseed processing capacity, while new plants continue to be commissioned and existing facilities are being expanded. By 2029, oilseed processing capacity is expected to reach approximately 9 million tonnes.
Andriy Antonov, Executive Director for Strategic Development at the National Oilseed Processors Association of Kazakhstan (NOPA), said this during AgroFoodSummit in Mersin, Türkiye.
The National Oilseed Processors Association of Kazakhstan includes 52 oilseed processing plants, which process more than 90% of the available sunflower crop. Even assuming that oilseed production in the country increases, there will still be a significant shortage of raw materials on the domestic market.
Andriy Antonov, Executive Director for Strategic Development at NOPA
As the expert noted, Kazakhstan ranked sixth in the world in terms of sunflower oil exports in 2025 and second in supplies to China; it also ranked third in sunflower meal supplies to the EU and China.
«Our plans are to become the world’s fourth-largest sunflower oil exporter. This season, Kazakhstan entered the Iranian market and supplied sunflower oil to the country for the first time in April. So far, 25 thousand tonnes of oil have already been shipped, with another two vessel shipments planned for October. This destination is developing actively for us,» Andriy Antonov said.
According to him, Kazakhstan can supply vegetable oils to Türkiye by container. Delivery takes between 10 and 14 days. Andriy Antonov emphasised that, given the current geopolitical situation, the rail-based overland Trans-Caspian International Transport Route has significant potential.
Overall, under the roadmap for the development of oil and fat product exports for 2026/28, Kazakhstan plans to reach $1.5 billion in foreign exchange earnings.
Liudmyla Lebid, AgroPortal.ua
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